NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The bestselling author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe is at her superb best in this fun-loving, moving novel about what it means to be truly alive.WINNER OF THE SOUTHERN BOOK PRIZE Elmwood Springs, Missouri, is a small town like any other, but something strange is happening at the cemetery. Still Meadows, as it’s called, is anything but still. … Meadows, as it’s called, is anything but still. Original, profound, The Whole Town’s Talking, a novel in the tradition of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town and Flagg’s own Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven, tells the story of Lordor Nordstrom, his Swedish mail-order bride, Katrina, and their neighbors and descendants as they live, love, die, and carry on in mysterious and surprising ways.
Lordor Nordstrom created, in his wisdom, not only a lively town and a prosperous legacy for himself but also a beautiful final resting place for his family, friends, and neighbors yet to come. “Resting place” turns out to be a bit of a misnomer, however. Odd things begin to happen, and it starts the whole town talking.
With her wild imagination, great storytelling, and deep understanding of folly and the human heart, the beloved Fannie Flagg tells an unforgettable story of life, afterlife, and the remarkable goings-on of ordinary people. In The Whole Town’s Talking, she reminds us that community is vital, life is a gift, and love never dies.
Praise for The Whole Town’s Talking
“A witty multigenerational saga . . . [Fannie] Flagg’s down-home wisdom, her affable humor and her long view of life offer a pleasant respite in nerve-jangling times.”—People
“Fannie Flagg at her best.”—The Florida Times-Union
“If there’s one thing Fannie Flagg can do better than anybody else, it’s tell a story, and she outdoes herself in The Whole Town’s Talking. . . . Brilliant . . . equally on the level as her famous Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe.”—The Newport Plain Talk
“Delightful.”—The Washington Post
“A ringing affirmation of love, community and life itself.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch
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I loved this book that tells the story of a family and a town over a century. Flagg’s imagination invents a creative after life that might have you scratching your head, but the characters are undeniably charming, funny and well worth spend time with!
Master storyteller Fanny Flagg weaves together decades of vignettes with the common thread of family and friendship to create a colorful tapestry that made me laugh and cry. But mostly laugh; especially in the cemetery. Who knew?!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! It’s one you are going to love as you read, and remember after you’ve finished. The message, or theme, is cool as well. It’s a feel-good novel for when you need one.
I have had more fun reading Fannie Flagg’s books than I thought possible. There is a little bit of everything you could want in a book. I really recommend it for these reasons and you will find that you just don’t want to stop reading!
I love anything Fannie Flagg writes. This book was very good, different from what I thought it would be. But once I started, the pages flew by. Its story telling at its b est. If you like great character and interesting story lines, you’ll love this book.
The book that talks about one small town and ordinary people’s history. Witty and easy-to-read saga that gives you glimpse on how wonderful life can be.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I’ve read a few of Fannie Flagg’s other books, and have only been disappointed once. The Whole Town’s Talking will draw you in from the start and keep your interest all the way through.
The town is Elmwood Springs, Missouri, and the town talks for over 100 years, including the citizens currently residing at the cemetery. Flagg’s writing weaves a tapestry of stories that are intertwined, and her cast of characters are entertaining to say the least. There are a lot of characters, and you may recognize some from other books. Flagg has such a delightful way of describing the characters that it is easy to picture them in your mind, hear how they speak, how they move. Truth be told, I want to be like Elner Shimfissle. Elner is a woman who just enjoys being herself. She is confident, friendly and supportive and makes everyone around her feel good about themselves. Whether she is entertaining Bonnie Clyde, befriending Bess Truman, or just singing to her chickens, she is just, well, just Elner. This is a woman at home in her own skin.
At the end of the day, this is a feel-good book. Think of the new buzzword, hygge, which essentially means warmth, enjoyment and happiness. Well, this book delivers!
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This lovely book reminds me a little of Garrison Keillor’s novels. At the end of the 19th century, a Swedish immigrant founds a town in southwestern Missouri. Through the decades, the story tracks the founding families’ descendants, the initial building of the town and its economy, and as time passes — the introduction of trailer parks, big box stores that kill the downtown, and newcomers who have no vested interest in the history. From an idyllic new town, bustling with hope and promise, to a scattering of decaying original homes interspersed with closed stores and weedy lots. Whenever we pass through towns like this on our road trips, we always wonder what the dreams were of the people who originally created the place, and this book does a sweet job of describing the trajectory.
Good story, surprising yet uplifting ending.
One of my all-time favorites!
So much fun.
I have enjoyed other books by Fannie Flagg. This one however was perhaps my least favorite. The structure of having the stories told from the deceased residents was just a little too hard to swallow. The characters themselves are, as usual with Fannie, delightful.
Loved it! Love Fanny Flagg! I thought that I had read all of her books til this was on BookBub. Truly a story with heart. Told, as only Fanny could!
My favorite feel good author.
disappointing by this author. Very unrealistic.
Fanny Flag always has me laughing and her characters are quirky, fun and different, in other words, just as odd as the rest of us out there making a life. Fanny always leaves me with something to think about, the world, our families and how we should treat each other.
Great feel good book! I found myself smiling and laughing out loud. The characters feel more like people you personally know. I would read it again!
Enjoyed it. Good characters. Wanted to keep reading suspenseful.
I love this book.
This was a very easy read and loved the characters.